Congratulations to Nick Turner who has / have been nominated in Production Award: Record Producer of the Year sponsored by Paul McGeechan in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2026. Vote for Nick Turner now! It’s going to be another great night at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 5th December in Paisley Arena, Lagoon Centre. Why not join us for a brilliant night of music and awards. Buy a ticket here.
We asked Nick of Nick Turner the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Nick Turner has worked in the music industry for over twenty-five years as sound artist, producer, engineer, performer and writer. He founded Watercolour Music in Lochaber in 1994, building the business up from a single-room recording studio in a disused hotel function suite to its current position as one of the country’s most sought-after recording locations in purpose-built premises in Ardgour, Lochaber, overlooking Loch Linnhe and Ben Nevis.
Nick divides his time between production and recording commissions at Watercolour Music’s studios, and his own creative and writing projects, with a particular passion for song-writing and sound design. He has been in residence as Sound Artist in Association for Aberdeen Performing Arts, documenting and celebrating the refurbishment of the Aberdeen Music Hall; and Artist in Residence at the ØY Festival in Papa Westray, Orkney.
He developed ‘The Deep Sea Light’ sound installation project, using submarine recording, convolution reverb and found sound with traditional and contemporary musical composition to reconnect with the underwater marine environment.
Any particular career highlights?
At Watercolour, he has been responsible for a vast number of recordings across the musical spectrum, from indie, hip hop, pop and rock to classical and folk. As a producer and engineer, he has worked with a wide variety of world-class musicians and producers including Josienne Clarke, Martin Taylor, John Renbourn, Jerry Boys, Shooglenifty, Julie Fowlis, Blazin Fiddles, Treacherous Orchestra, Rachel Sermanni, Fred Morrison and many more.
His reputation is founded on a keen ear for detail coupled with an ability to place recorded sound in a natural ambient setting.
He has been nominated along with Finlay Napier as songwriter of the year and was earlier this year nominated by the Royal Television Society for his work on producing the sound track for the MG Alba's Rurachd Television series.
What are your plans for the future?
Watercolour is working towards a third series of Rurachd for MG Alba where once again Nick Turner is committed to write and produce an original soundtrack.
Nick is currently writing and producing the sound track for the short indie film "The Will To Live" , which is filming in the Highlands later this year.
As well as new studio albums planned at Watercolour Music for next year, Nick is also completing the music and script for a short film to be based in Lochaber.
Nick Turner Social Media
Website: http://www.watercolourmusic.co.uk
Facebook: @watercolourmusicuk
Instagram: @watercolourmusic
YouTube: @Watercolourfilms
Listen to music: http://www.watercolourmusic.co.uk/Label/html/index.html
The 2026 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are on the 5th December 2026 in Paisley Arena, Lagoon Centre! You will be able to watch it live in person (buy a ticket here).
Hosted by Scottish personalities Alistair Heather and Mary Ann Kennedy, the night will welcome live performances from some of the brightest lights on the thriving trad scene today including Valtos, Gnoss, Sian, Fèis Phàislig, Spodo Komodo and BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Rachel Groves and many more!
If you would like to support Hands Up for Trad in their work with Scottish trad music and musicians why not become a friend of Hands Up for Trad. In addition to our high profile events like the Scots Trad Music Awards, we also deliver a less well known, education programme for young people from 8yrs right through to young adults at the start of their careers. Read more here.